Charleston, S.C. — The Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine, announced this month that Dr. Patricia L. Blanton will serve as interim dean beginning July 1, following the retirement of Dr. John Sanders, according to ADA News.
Dr. Blanton
The appointment is contingent upon MUSC Board of Trustees approval at their August meeting.
“While we will move in a deliberate manner to begin the recruitment process for our next dean, it is equally important to name an interim dean to continue the advancement of the [dental school] in key ways,” said Mark S. Sothmann, provost, in a Letter from the Provost’s Office.
Dr. Blanton, since 2014, has served as a professor in the Department of Stomatology, while also serving as a practicing clinician. She spent a large part of her academic career at the Baylor University College of Dentistry where she was an administrator, educator, researcher and clinician.
In addition, she is an ADA past vice president (2010-12) and served on the Commission on Dental Accreditation. She also served as past president of the American College of Dentists.
Dr. Blanton will serve as interim dean until a permanent dean is named.